How members of Congress voted on major issues in the week ending Nov. 16

Published: Sunday, November 18, 2012 at 1:11 p.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, November 18, 2012 at 1:11 p.m.

U.S. TRADE WITH RUSSIA: Voting 365 for and 43 against, the House on Nov. 16 sent the Senate a bill (HR 6156) to establish permanent, normal U.S. trade relations with Russia and Moldova under World Trade Organization rules that promote free trade and provide a forum for resolving disputes. The bill repeals the 1974 Jackson-Vanik Act, a Cold War law that levied U.S. trade penalties on the Soviet Union and Russia over their restricting the emigration of Jewish dissidents and other citizens. But the bill imposes new sanctions, such as U.S. visa and banking restrictions, on individual Russians linked by the State Department to human-rights abuses and corruption. In part, this provision targets those implicated in the torture and murder three years ago of Sergei Magnitsky, a lawyer and whistleblower who was imprisoned after exposing tax fraud by highranking Russian officials.

HUNTING, FISHING, CONSERVATION: Voting 84 for and 12 against, the Senate on Nov. 15 began debate on the Sportsmen’s Act, a bill (S 3525) to expand hunting and fishing on federal land, bolster land conservation, protect wildlife habitat, fund the construction of shooting ranges on public property and take other several other steps to enhance outdoor recreation in the U.S. Debate on the bill will resume in the week of Nov. 26.

A yes vote was to advance the bill.

North Carolina voting yes: Kay Hagan, Richard Burr Voting no: None

CYBER- SECURITY FILIBUSTER: Voting 51 for and 47 against, the Senate on Nov. 14 failed to reach 60 votes needed to end a Republican filibuster of a bill (S 3414) setting up a voluntary system by which major companies would harden their computer systems against cyber-attacks and share information about cyber-threats with other firms and the government. FBI Director Robert Mueller told Congress the possibility of cyber-attacks is rivaling terrorist threats as the top danger to the U.S. But the U.S. Chamber of Commerce objects to the bill as over-regulation of private-sector operations.

A yes vote was to start debating the bill.

North Carolina voting yes: Hagan Voting no: Burr Congress is in Thanksgiving recess. In the week of Nov. 26, the Senate will debate the 2013 defense budget and bills to tighten companies’ cyber-security and expand hunting and fishing on federal lands. The House schedule is to be announced.

<p>U.S. TRADE WITH RUSSIA: Voting 365 for and 43 against, the House on Nov. 16 sent the Senate a bill (HR 6156) to establish permanent, normal U.S. trade relations with Russia and Moldova under World Trade Organization rules that promote free trade and provide a forum for resolving disputes. The bill repeals the 1974 Jackson-Vanik Act, a Cold War law that levied U.S. trade penalties on the Soviet Union and Russia over their restricting the emigration of Jewish dissidents and other citizens. But the bill imposes new sanctions, such as U.S. visa and banking restrictions, on individual Russians linked by the State Department to human-rights abuses and corruption. In part, this provision targets those implicated in the torture and murder three years ago of Sergei Magnitsky, a lawyer and whistleblower who was imprisoned after exposing tax fraud by highranking Russian officials.</p><p>A yes vote was to pass the bill.</p><p>North Carolina voting yes: G.K. Butterfield, Renee Ellmers, David Price, Virginia Foxx, Howard Coble, Mike McIntyre, Larry Kissell, Sue Myrick, Patrick McHenry, Melvin Watt, Brad Miller Voting no: Walter Jones Not voting: Heath Shuler</p><p>Senate</p><p>HUNTING, FISHING, CONSERVATION: Voting 84 for and 12 against, the Senate on Nov. 15 began debate on the Sportsmen's Act, a bill (S 3525) to expand hunting and fishing on federal land, bolster land conservation, protect wildlife habitat, fund the construction of shooting ranges on public property and take other several other steps to enhance outdoor recreation in the U.S. Debate on the bill will resume in the week of Nov. 26.</p><p>A yes vote was to advance the bill.</p><p>North Carolina voting yes: Kay Hagan, Richard Burr Voting no: None</p><p>CYBER- SECURITY FILIBUSTER: Voting 51 for and 47 against, the Senate on Nov. 14 failed to reach 60 votes needed to end a Republican filibuster of a bill (S 3414) setting up a voluntary system by which major companies would harden their computer systems against cyber-attacks and share information about cyber-threats with other firms and the government. FBI Director Robert Mueller told Congress the possibility of cyber-attacks is rivaling terrorist threats as the top danger to the U.S. But the U.S. Chamber of Commerce objects to the bill as over-regulation of private-sector operations.</p><p>A yes vote was to start debating the bill.</p><p>North Carolina voting yes: Hagan Voting no: Burr Congress is in Thanksgiving recess. In the week of Nov. 26, the Senate will debate the 2013 defense budget and bills to tighten companies' cyber-security and expand hunting and fishing on federal lands. The House schedule is to be announced.</p>